The Berlin Airlift

Airlift Facts and Statistics

The population of West Berlin during the Airlift was approximately two million of which 20,000 were Allied Servicemen' and officials. Approximately 2,500 tons of food was consumed per day. There were three air lanes into West Berlin, Frankfurt, Buckeburg and Hamburg.

Four main types of aircraft were in use during this time, Dakotas (British and US), Skymasters (US), Yorks (British), Sunderlands (British Flying Boats).

A Sunderland flying boat unloading stores on the Havel

The average time between the time an aircraft stopped its engines on arrival before starting up again for take off was twenty minutes. It was true that a pilot of a twin-engined aircraft brought in a four engined load!